Supply-carrier for braiding or other textile machines.



S. W. WARDWELL. I SUPPLYCARRIER FOR BRAIDING OR OTHER TEXTILE MACHINES.

7 APPLICATION mwuov. 2w. 191a.

v ZSHEETs-SHEET I.

WITNESSES Patented May 7,1918.

' s. w. WARDWELL. SUPPLY CARRIER'FOR BBAIDING OR OTHER TEXTILE MACHINES..

APPLICATION FILED. NOV. 2!. l9l3.

1,265,146. v Patented May7,l918.

Z'SHEETS-SHEET 2- Wnusssss UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SIMON W. WARDWELL, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO WABDWELL BRAIDING MACHINE COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

SUPPLY-CARRIER FOR BRAIDING OR OTHER TEXTILE MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 7, 1918.

Application filed November 21, 1913. Serial No. 802,274.

for braiding or other textile-machines and consists of improvements in the tension-controlling devices therefor. The object of my improvement is to provide a simple and eflicient device for controlling the delivery of the yarn or thread from a rotating supplycop or spool, with means for easy and convenient adjustment of the amount of tension applied to the yarn.

The invention is fully set forth in the following specification, illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference designate like parts.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of my'improved supply-carrier showing the arrangement of the tension-controlling device em-.

ployed in connection therewith Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, detail view of the tension-device Fig. 4 is an enlarged, plan view of the same, part sectional on the line X-X of Fig. 3;

Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged, detail views of parts of the adjusting-mechanism for'the tension-device.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, B designates a usual form of supply-carrier for braiding machines of the rotary type, such, for instance, as that shown in my United States Patent No. 1,032,870, but it will be understood that-my improvements are adaptable to different styles of yarn-carriers and for other purposes. The carrier here shown consists of a main deck-portion b, of lenticular outline, formed with a depending runner or shoe 6' adapted to slide in the circular track of the braiding machine. Fixedly secured in a boss 6 on the deck I) is a vertical spindle on which is rotatably mounted the copor bobbin-holder G. This latter consists essentially of a flanged brake-disk 0r wheel 0 and means integral therewith for securing the cop in relation thereto. The holding-means for the cop may be of any suitable form, but

as here shown it comprises the contractible sleeve 0 secured rotatively with the brakewheel 0 and provided with spurs or -other projections 0 0 adapted to indent the interior of the cop-tube In Fig. 1 the coptube a is represented by dash-lines and its surrounding yarn-mass, which constitutes the cop or other thread-package, as indicated in outline by the dot-and-dash lines Y. The cop-tube .2 is slipped on over the sleeve 0 of the holder C and the cop is thus secured rotatively with the brake-wheel 0 so that the two will turn together. Usually a cap or-head D is applied to the upper end of the cop Y to provide a smooth rim across which the yarns from the oppositely moving supplies in the braiding machine draw. As

- hero illustrated the cap D consists simply of a. circular disk having its rim formed over in the curved flange d and provided with suitable prongs d, d on its under side adapted to be inserted in the end of the tube 2. Extending upwardly from the deck 6 of the carrier B is a fixed guide or spindle E around which the yarn y from the cop Y leads before it passes to the tension-controlling device which is mounted at theopposite end of the carrier B.

The tension-device is arranged to control the rotation of the supply-cop Y, and thereby the delivery of the yarn y, through cooperation of the yarn-controlled elements with the brake-wheel 2:. The mechanism of the tension-device is mounted on an upright standard or post F which is preferably con-- structed from sheet-metal and formed with a foot f secured to the deck of the carrier by suitable means, such, for instance, as the screw 7. At its upper end the member F is bent outwardly and formed with a uideeye f through which the yarn 3 is a apted to lead on its course both to and from the tension-controlling lever G. The control ling-lever G is formed with a tail-piece 9 having a curved end g under which the yarn 1 draws and at its opposite end are two downwardly bent lugs or hinge-members g 9 The lugs 9 g are formed with holes 9 adapted to receive a wire pin H which extends through two laterally extending lugs f f adjacent the foot of the post F. The lever G also has a curved arm 9 which cooperates with a sliding drop-wire I, but this latter arrangement is not herein described in detail as it forms no part of the present invention.

The wire pin H also serves as a pivot for the brake-lever J which engages the flanged rim 0 of the brake-wheel c. As shown more particularly in Fig. 4, the lever J takes the form of a fork having a cross-bar j and two side-members or arms j, j adapted to straddle the outside of the two lugs 7' f on the post F. the arms being provided with holes j for receiving the pin H. The pin H is formed with a hooked extension 72, terminating in the (:lownwardly-bent portion h which is adapted to enter a depression f in the foot of the post F. The hook-portion it serves as a spring so that after the pin H is inserted through the lovers G and J and the lugs f f its ends it can be snapped into the depression f to hold the pin in place, see Fig. 8.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, one of the side-members or arms 7" of the lever J is formed with an upwardly-extending, curved finger j arranged to overlap a laterallyextending lug or projection 9 on the side of the tension-controlling lever G. Extending downwardlyfrom the cross-bar j of the lever J is an elbow-shaped arm j having its outer face 1' adapted to bear against the periphery of the rim 0 of the brake-wheel c. The lever J is caused to bear against the brake\vl1eel 0 through the means of a spring K which is fastened to the' post F by an adjustabledevice L whereby its tension can be regulated as required. One end of the spring K is hooked through a hole j" in the cross-bar j of the lever J and. its opposite end is hooked around the center of the adjusting-member -L which is secured to the post F as next described.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the post F is constructed with a central opening extending throughout the greater portion of its length and formed with the parallel sides f, f. Adjacent the upper end of the side 7 are a series of notches forming the ratchet teeth f f etc. As illustrated more particularly in Fig. '6, the adjustingmember L is formed with openings or slots Z, Z at its opposite ends adapted to receive the sides of the opening 7 of the post F. The inner end of the slot Z is beveled ofi at Z see Figs. 5 and 6, to adapt it to fit the teeth f on the post F and the metal punched out from the other slot Z is formed up in a finger Z adapted to engage the edge f of the opening f in the post. The teeth 7 act to hold one end of the member L from sliding down on the post F-and the finger Z prevents movement at its other end under the tension of the spring K. To adjust the tension of the spring K it is only necessary to tilt the member L upwardly at the righthand end and it can then be moved up or downin the opening f to bring it into engagement with any one of the teeth f Tn this way the spring K can be stretched or contracted accordingly as more or less pressure is required between the brake-lever and wheel. The operation of the whole device is as follows:

The cop or other supply package Y is placed on the holder C where it is held rotatively with respect to the brake-wheel 0 by means of the sleeve 0 engaging the interior 0f the cop-tube 2. The yarn 1 is led around the guide-spindle E; thence through the guide eye f on the post F; down under the curved end 57' of the lever G; and back again through the guide-eye f from which it delivers to the merging point of the other yarns used in the braiding machine. The spring K isadjusted to give the proper amount of tension to press the up and down on the post F as before described. As the yarn y draws down around the lever G the latter will be lifted to bring it into contact with the finger j on the brake-lever J. The pressure of the lever G against the lever J is resisted by the action of the spring K and the tension of the spring is adjusted to such a degree that a relatively slight but constant friction is eX- erted between the brake-lever J and the brake-wheel 0. In this manner the resistance to the rotation of the cop is controlled very sensitively in accordance with the setting of the spring K and a smooth, even tension is thereby maintained on the yarn throughout its delivery from the supplycop.

I have found by experiment that with my new device the tension on the yarn can be adjusted to an exceedingly minute degree and when the device is once set the tension remains constant and uniform during the continuous draft on the material. The frictional pressure of the brake-leveron the brake-wheel is applied with a velvety smoothness which has never before been approached in devices of this sort and, furthermore, my improved construction and a1- rangement of the mechanism lends itself to easy and economical manufacture. It has been determinded that the brake-wheel 0 does not need .to be made with extreme accuracy and precision, for even if its flange or rim is not exactly true and concentric with its axis, any slight irre ularities will be compensated for by the oating movement of the brake-lever. It will be noted that the controlling-spring K for the brake-lever is relatively long so that slight fluctuations in the position of the brake-lever J will not afi'ect its normal tension and, therefore, the lever can .adjust itself to any eccentricity a in the peripher of the brake-wheel without altering the e ect of its pressure thereon.-

Itv is also called to attention that practically all of the operating parts of my new device are constructed from sheet-metal so that while being relatively strong and stanch they may be of minimum weight. This feature is especially important in rendering the-whole carrier extremely light, so as to adapt it for rapid movement in high-speed I .the form and structure of t e parts of my new device without departing from. the spirit or scope of the invention; therefore,

without limiting myself to, the exact c0n-.

struction shown and described, what I vclaim is (,1. In a yarn-delivering means for braid-' ing or other textile machines, the combina- -tion with a supply-carrier having a relatively flat deck' with a runner depending from its underside, of a spindle projecting upwardly from the deck of the carrier, a 40 rotatable cop-holder journaled on said spindle, a brake-wheel secured to the lower end of the cop-holder in parallel relation with the deck of the carrier and in close proximity thereto, a friction brake-lever pivoted above the ,brakewheel to adapt it to bear against the rim thereof, a sprin for operating said lever to hold it against t e brake-wheel, and a yarn-controlled lever normall maintained out of contact with the brakeever and arranged to be operated by the pull of the yarn delivering from the cop to cause it to act against the brake-lever to relieve the pressure of the latter on the brake-wheel.

-- 2. In 'a supply carrier for braiding or other machines, the combination with a rotatable cop-holder having abrake-wheel rotatable therewith, of a friction brakelever pivoted on the carrier to adapt it to bear against the periphery-of the brakewheel to apply'resistance to its rotation, a

' spring secured at one end tothe brake-lever,

means for fastening the opposite end of the spring at a plurality of different points at varying distances from the brake-lever, and

a yarn-controlled lever pivoted to swing Q8 into contact with the brake-lever but normally held away therefrom solely through the action of gravity whereby a slight pull on the yarn Wlll cause it to bear against the brake-lever and an increase in the tension member secured to the opposite end of the spring and adapted to be adjusted up and down on the notches of the standard to regulate the tension of the sprin and a yarncontrolled lever pivoted on t e standard to oscillate independently of the brake-lever but adapted to contact therewith to regulate the braking action on the brake-wheel. I 4. In a supply-carrier for braidingor other textile-machines, the combination with a rotatable co -h0lder having a brake-wheel,

of a standar arranged ad acent thereto, a brake-lever adapted to bear on the eriphery of the brake-wheel, a arn-contro led lever for operating the bra e-lever, and a wire pivot pin extending through bearings in said levers and the standard, said pin formed with one end bent into a hook and having its extremity sprung into a depression on the foot of the standard to hold the pin in place.

5. In a supply-carrier for braidingor other textile-machines, the combination with a cop-holder having a brake-wheel, of a standard arranged adjacent thereto and formed with an opening havin parallel sides with ratchet teeth in one of t e sides, a member having slots fitted to the sides of the opening to adapt it to slide on the standard and arranged to engage the teeth thereof to hold it in place, a. spring secured at one end to said member, and a brake-lever connected to the spring to be operated there, from to engage the brake-wheel.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SIMON W. WARDWELL. Witnesses:

ARTHUR A. AnmNe'roN, I'IERBERT K. ALLARD. 

